By-laws of the Muslim Cemetery

Displayed here are the by-laws of the Muslim Cemetery.


BY-LAWS OF MUSLIM CEMETERY OF GREATER FAYETTEVILLE AREA, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

With the Name Allaah, the Gracious, the Compassionate
ARTICLE 1
ORGANIZATION
1. The name of the organization shall be Muslim Cemetery of Greater Fayetteville Area (Muslim Cemetery of GFA).
2. The organization may at its pleasure with approval of the Board of Directors change its name.
ARTICLE 11
PURPOSES
The Following are the purposes for which this corporation has been organized:
So that the Muslims in the greater Fayetteville area can have a cemetery within a short distance from the masajid. Where Muslims can be buried in accordance with the Qur’an, and Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi was Salaam, and with the understanding of our pious predecessors, as reported to us from authentic sources. A cemetery free from innovations. A cemetery that is not owned by any one masjid; where any Muslim can be buried at no cost. A cemetery where the graves are not allocated based on one’s status, but rather where no plots are reserved for anyone. Where tents are not raised over the deceased’s grave, nor are chairs provided. We want a cemetery where allowed acts of worship are the ones that have an evidence, such as salaam, thikr, and supplication. A graveyard where tomb stones are not allowed. Where flowers and reefs and food are not placed on graves. A graveyard where women are not directing how the men should conduct the burial. A cemetery where Qur’ans are not placed on graves. A cemetery/graveyard where food and drinks are not passed out in a show of hospitality toward those who attended the burial. A cemetery where all other acts (like prayer, sacrifice, reciting Qur’an) are prohibited.
ARTICLE 111
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization/corporation shall be open to all Muslims that adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah and the By-laws and purpose of this organization. The founding members/masajid are:
Masjid Ahlu Sunnah Fayetteville, NC
Masjid Ahlus Sunnah Greensboro, NC
Masjid al-Madina Raeford, NC
Islamic Society of the Carolinas Hamlet, NC
Islamic Society of Greensboro Greensboro, NC
Masjid Taheed wa Sunnah Durham, NC
ARTICLE 1V
MEETINGS
The annual membership meeting of this organization shall be held on the 4th Sunday of
JULY each and every year, except if such day be a legal holiday, then and in that event,
the Board of Directors shall fix the day but it shall not be more than two weeks from the
date fixed by these By-Laws. The Secretary shall cause to be mailed to every masajid in
good standing, the address as it appears in the membership roll book in this organization,
a notice telling the time and place of such annual meeting. Regular meetings of this
organization shall be held at the location given by the Chairman.
The presence of not less than 4 members, two of which represent a masjid different from
the other two, shall be necessary to conduct the business of this organization; but a lesser
number present may adjourn the meeting for a period of not more than 2 weeks from the
date scheduled by these By-Laws and the secretary shall cause a notice of this scheduled
meeting to be sent to all those masajid who were not present at the meeting originally
called.
Special meetings of this organization may be called by the Chairman when he deems it
for the best interest of the organization. Notices of such meeting shall be mailed to all
masajid at their addresses as they appear in the membership roll book at least ten (10)
days before the scheduled date set for such special meeting. Such notice shall state the
reasons that such meeting has been called, the business to be transacted at such meeting
and by whom it was called. No other business but that specified in the notice may be
transacted at such special meeting without the unanimous consent of all present at such
meeting.
ARTICLE V
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Roll Call. 2. Reading of the Minutes of the preceding meeting. 3. Reports of
Committees. 4. Reports of Officers. 5. Old and Unfinished Business. 6. New Business.
7. Adjournments.
ARTICLE V1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business of this organization shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 6 members. At least one of the directors shall be a resident of the State of North Carolina, and a citizen of the United States.
The directors to be chosen for the ensuing year shall be appointed on a rotating basis. There are six contributing masajid and each shall be responsible for the leadership unless when Chairmanship is rotated to a masjid and it defers to another member masjid. It must be borne in mind that along with Chairmanship comes maintenance of the cemetery. The Chairman will sit for 2 years, when he is replaced on rotation he shall then become the Assistant Chairman. This will keep a thread of continuity. The Board of Directors shall have the control and management of the affairs and business of this organization. Such Board of Directors shall only act in the name of the organization when it shall be regularly convened by its Chairman, after due notice of all the directors of such meeting. The meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held regularly on the 1ST Saturday of AUGUST each and every year. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may in its discretion determine necessary.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the balance of the term. The Chairman of the Board of Directors by virtue of his position, shall also be the Chairman of the Graveyard Committee. The Board of Directors shall select from one of their members a secretary.
A director may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal. The Board of Directors may entertain charges against any director. A director may not be represented by counsel upon any removal hearing. The Board of Directors shall adopt such rules for this hearing as it may in its discretion consider necessary for the best interests of the organization. Such rules must comply with the Shariah.
ARTICLE V11
OFFICERS
The officers of the organization shall be as follows: Chairman; Assistant Chairman; Secretary; Assistant Secretary; Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer.
The Chairman shall preside at all membership meetings. He shall appoint all committees, temporary or permanent. He shall see all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed. He shall be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the organization. He shall have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization.
The Vice Chairman shall in the event of the absence or inability of the Chairman to exercise his office become acting Chairman of the organization with all the rights,
privileges and powers as if he had been the duly appointed Chairman.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the organization in appropriate books. It shall be his duty to file any certificates required by any statute, federal or state. He shall give and serve all notices to members of this organization. He shall be the official custodian of the records and seal of this organization. He may be one of the officers required to sign the checks and drafts of the organization. He shall present to the membership at any meetings any communication addressed to him as Secretary of the organization. He shall submit to the Board of Directors any communications which shall be addressed to him as Secretary of the organization. He shall attend to all correspondence of the organization and shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Secretary.
Assistant Secretary Aides Secretary.
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the organization. He must be one of the officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasure to sign the checks issued upon it. He shall render at stated periods as the Board of Directors shall determine a written account of the finances of the organization and such reports shall be physically affixed to the minutes of the Board of Directors of such meeting. He shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer.
Assistant Treasurer Aides Treasurer.
Directors shall, by virtue of their office, be members of the Graveyard Committee. No officer shall for reason of his office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an officer or director from receiving any compensation from the organization for duties other than as a director or officer.
ARTICLE V111
SALARIES
The Board of Directors shall hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees which they in their discretion may determine to be necessary for the conduct of the business of the organization.
ARTICLE 1X
COMMITTEES
All committees of this organization shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and their
term of office shall be for a period of one year or less if sooner terminated by the action of the Board of Directors. The permanent committee shall be: Graveyard Committee Advisory Board (committee); Janaazah Committee; and the Cemetery maintenance Committee.
ARTICLE X
DUES
The dues of this organization shall be $100 per annum, per member masjid, and shall be payable on 2nd Sunday of JULY, for each and every year.
ARTICLE X1
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by and with approval of the Board of Directors. However, nothing can change the free burials for any shahadah Muslim or Muslimah; and nothing can change our purpose without clear proof from the Qur’an, authentic Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad, sallala hu alayhi wa salaam.
Dated: April 30, 2006